April 2019 Minutes
Minutes of the meeting held on 17 April 2019
Present
Cllr Dennis (Chairman), Cllrs Candler, Goodman, Hayward, Hinton, Martindale, Thomas, Webber.
In attendance
County Cllr Mr B Adams, 4 members of the public.
Apologies
Cllr Harvey.
1. Declarations of interest
None
2. Approve minutes 20 March 2019
The notes of the 20 March 19 meeting were approved as minutes and signed by the Chairman. Proposed by Cllr Hinton, seconded by Cllr Goodman, all in favour.
3. Matters arising
St James Churchyard upkeep by the Parish Council - Cllr Dennis said that St James’ PCC were applying to the Diocese for the closure of the Churchyard; the process would take approximately twelve months and during that time the Parish Council would only undertake mowing of the Churchyard, with the PCC still responsible of all other aspects of its upkeep.
County Cllr Mr B Adams was thanked for his help in reinstating a regular bus service to Castle Bytham.
4. Upper Green steps
A site visit with JM Builders was being arranged to discuss building issues and to select a handrail.
5. County Council matters
County Cllr Mr B Adams to check LCC’s riparian responsibilities with regard to the pond.
6. District Council matters
None
7. Planning issues - verbal report from the Planning Working Group
Cllr Dennis reported a rapid exchange of letters with Mr M Thompson from Richardsons Surveyors with regard to the Priory Farmyard application. Cllr M Lee, Leader of SKDC, had been contacted following Mr Thompson’s cancellation of the 15 April planned site visit and announcement that Richardsons and the planning officer had already come to an agreement. Cllr Lee had put the matter into the hands of Mr P Thomas, Strategic Director for Growth.
8. Planning
a. Planning S17/1315 - Mr N Perry. Erection of cottage and garage and demolition of existing farm buildings and erection of house with integral garage. (Revised plans, additional information; re-advertised application). The Priory Farmyard, 14 Station Road, Castle Bytham. Cllrs Dennis and Martindale will draft a reply to be sent to Mr Gildersleeves, Pincipal Planning Officer.
b. S19/0421 – Mr J Ellis and Mrs C Lawson. Demolition of garage and entrance lobby, erection of garage and annexe room, side and rear extensions. 5 Counthorpe Lane, Castle Bytham. The Councillors voted unanimously in favour of this application.
SKDC has granted planning permission to the following applications:
S19/0235 - School Farm House , 4 High Street, Castle Bytham
S18/1322 - Land to the South of Cumberland Gardens, Castle Bytham
9. Standing orders update
The Councillors discussed the updated standing orders - Cllr Martindale will produce a final version.
10. LALC clustering questionnaire
The Councillors unanimously agreed against becoming part of a cluster of parishes.
11. Amenities Working Group report
An annual list of instructions had been prepared for Michael Wright and would be annexed to his contract. Cllr Hinton was to saw the fallen tree branches on the playing field. Tommy Plummer was in the process of removing the sawn trunk from the felled pine and would carry out work on the other trees in May, once permission from SKDC was granted.
12. Vermin control
Deferred.
13. Cemetery matters
The Councillors agreed that work to reduce a fir tree was unlikely to be granted by SKDC ; a family had asked for help from the Parish Council as sap from maturing pine cones was falling on the family grave’s memorial. Clerk to write.
14. Report from Village Hall Committee
Cllr Dennis said that there had been no meeting of the Village Hall Committee. The Wednesday coffee mornings were proving popular.
15. Correspondence
A. The Salvation Army - possible installation of a clothing recycling bank on Parish Council land; clerk to reply giving Cllr Hinton’s details as the future community shop could be offered as location.
B. SKDC - J Edwards; statement of persons nominated
C. SKDC - J Edwards; contested election
D. SKDC - notice of poll 2 May 19
E. SKDC - notice of European Parliamentary Election
F. Paul Sanders - reinstatement No 4 bus service
G. PKF Littlejohn - 2018-19 AGAR instructions
H. NALC - policy e-briefing PC6-19 Audit Code of Practice
I. District Cllr Mr M Wilkins - letter of thanks for gift from Parish Council
J. Environment Agency - flood warning service; Cllr Hinton to prepare a flier on the EA flood information service
K. Invest SK
L. LALC - local councillors networking day
M. Rural Services Network bulletin
N. Colsterworth rural bulletin
O. Bourne CiCLE Festival
P. Community Lincs - news and update
Q. Public Sector Executive online
R. E-mail from a resident thanking the parish council for their help in reinstating the bus service
S. LCVS newsbite
T. Anglian Water - cemetery inspection
16. Accounts
The Barclays Mandate had been refreshed with Cllrs Dennis and Harvey as signatories and the clerk as official on the accounts. The Melton Building Society account will be closed and the funds transferred to Barclays in July following the ten week notice period.
17. Councillors’ verbal reports
Cllr Dennis and Cllr Martindale were thanked for their work on the parish council; Cllr Dennis is retiring after 17 years and Cllr Martindale after 7 years.